Best Watches Under $500

The Best New Watches Under $500

As much as we're fascinated by smartwatches and their ever-increasing influence on technology and fashion, we're still holding to the traditional wristwatch as one of the best ways for men to express themselves as a punctuation mark of style. In fact, watches seem less and less like instruments of timekeeping and more like an accoutrement that shows the world what what we enjoy — statements of quality and individualism.

Whether it's a classic heirloom Omega Speedmaster, a high end IWC Portuguese wedding gift or an everyday tool watch like a Seiko SKX007 bought for scuba diving on vacation, a well-made watch feels great on the wrist and adds personality to your repertoire.

Some of us are insanely serious about our watch collections and dole out big bucks for the icons of timekeeping — Rolex, Lange & Sohne, Patek Philippe. Others of us build a more humble collection, hoping to one day go all out for a grail watch we've coveted for years. And then there are those of us who have yet to embark on our first serious wristwatch purchase, having grown tired of replacing a cheap watch every couple of years when it goes belly up.

For the latter two groups, there's a ton of options out there. We endeavor to bring you some of the best for your hard earned dollars. The list below encompasses some of the great watches available for under $500. To some it may seem like a lot of money for a watch, but just remember that sacrificing six months of $3 lattes can net you a watch that could very well last you decades. How's that for an investment that literally does not go into the toilet?

$100 - $200

17. Heritor Kinser

This feels like a watch worthy of an executive — the Kinser watch means business with its brilliant stainless steel casing, engraved sunray dial, jewelled automatic movement genuine leather strap (crocodile-embossed, of course), observation caseback, and more. Best paired with a crisp button-down or suit. Now 85% off.$147.00 at iFashionWatches.com

16. Timex Quartz Flyback

If the Timex name only reminds you of digital watches for endurance athletes, think again. Their Intelligent Quartz line is both stylish and technologically advanced. The Flyback has a bi-retrograde quartz movement that uses microprocessors to power the main dial and subdials for supreme accuracy. It's also backlit with highly legible Indiglo lume and boasts an attractive black case and high style brown leather strap.$165.00 at Amazon.com

15. Swatch Windfall

Your memory of Swatch watches as loud plastic neon timepieces isn't flawed, but that memory is no longer accurate for today. Still affordable but with added class and sophistication, they're both suit-worthy and sports-friendly — especially the Windfall with its versatile 39mm diameter, functioning chronometer subdials and pushers, and accurate Swiss quartz movement. It's even stylistically reminiscent of the iconic Omega Speedmaster.$165.00 at Amazon.com

14. Heritor Adams

With a chunkier body than most Heritor watches, the Adams has an assertive feel — supported by some boss specs. It operates with an automatic movement, 33 jewel bearings, an engraved pattern dial, and yields up to 21,600 beats per hour. Impressive for a watch now 85% off its original price ($1,200).$175.00 at iFashionWatches.com

13. Skagen Melbye

Skagen is all about slim and slender, and the Melbye qualifies easily with its thin 10mm chronograph case and lightweight titanium mesh bracelet that's supremely easy on the wrist. The tasty dial gets an orange pop of color, and the scratch and impact resistant mineral crystal face protects it all beautifully. Quartz movement and functioning chrono subdials provide accuracy and function to this modernly styled timepiece.$205.00 at Amazon.com

$200 - $400

12. Seiko SSC013

This Seiko chrono's beauty easily belies its price point. The multi-layered dial with flight tachymeter is a magnet for the eyes, and the solar quartz movement keeps things running long after conventional batteries run out. With a 43mm diameter stainless steel case and a gorgeous leather band with contrasting white stitching means you can go between flight missions and dinner out without skipping a beat.$380.00 at Amazon.com

11.Uniform Wares M37

Uniform Wares takes stark minimalism to an art form with no superflous designs. It's as ornate as a ninja costume and just as cool. The Physical Vaporization Deposition (PVD) coating on the hidden lugged case is tough and stealthy, while the jet black dial with grey markers is an exercise in beautiful restraint. Its topped off with a reliable Swiss Ronda quartz movement, sapphire glass and a resilient and comfortable nitrile rubber strap.$390.00 at UniformWares.com